HEADLINES

Las Vegas Raiders News & Rumors

2024 NFL General Manager Search Tracker

May 7th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the Patriots hiring Eliot Wolf as their de facto GM after having moved on from Bill Belichick, all five teams in need of a GM have filled their post this offseason. If other teams decide to make GM changes, they’ll be added to this list.

Updated 5-11-24 (4:35pm CT)

Carolina Panthers

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

Washington Commanders

Raiders, OL Andrus Peat Agree To Deal

May 6th, 2024 at 9:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Andrus Peat has found a new home in the post-draft wave of free agency. The longtime Saints offensive lineman has agreed to a deal with the Raiders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

A 2015 first-round pick, Peat has spent his entire career in New Orleans, starting 102 of his 111 appearances (plus six playoff starts). That included a three-year stretch between 2018 and 2020 where he started all 36 of his games while earning Pro Bowl nods each season. Injuries were often a theme during Peat’s tenure with the Saints; the lineman missed 36 regular season games in nine seasons, including 17 between 2021 and 2022.

Peat bounced back from a health perspective in 2023, appearing in a career-high 16 games. The veteran initially lost his starting guard spot to James Hurst, but Peat eventually worked his way into the lineup at left tackle. Pro Football Focus only ranked him 56th among 81 qualifying offensive tackles, although he did improve on his performance from the previous two campaigns.

The veteran inked a five-year, $57.5MM deal with the Saints in 2020, but after a series of restructurings, the final year of that pact was voided. That made Peat a free agent following the 2023 campaign, and it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the lineman. The 30-year-old has only been connected to the Titans, although it was assumed his market would pick up following the draft.

Considering Peat’s versatility, he should be in the mix for a starting role in Les Vegas. The Raiders added Cody Whitehair via free agency before selecting Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round of the draft. Peat will join that duo and holdover Dylan Parham in a competition for the two starting guard spots, although the latest acquisition’s versatility means he could also see some opportunities at either tackle spot.

Raiders Sign WR Jalen Guyton

May 6th, 2024 at 11:27am CST by Sam Robinson

MAY 6: Guyton’s visit has produced a deal. The Raiders announced on Monday that the deep threat has been signed, and he thus represents the newest receiver addition brought in by Telesco. Vegas signed Michael Gallup in the wake of the draft, and he will compete for starter’s snaps alongside Adams in the team’s passing game. Guyton will look to carve out a role of his own as he aims to put together a healthy campaign.

APRIL 29: An ACL tear brought a turning point in Jalen Guyton‘s five-year Chargers tenure, leading to the deep threat tumbling out of the picture as the Brandon Staley era wore on. But the GM that brought in the former UDFA has him back on the radar.

The Raiders met with Guyton on a visit Monday, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. Tom Telesco brought in Guyton as a UDFA in 2019, and the North Texas alum became a key Justin Herbert target in 2020 and ’21. A Week 3 2022 ACL tear sidetracked the 6-foot-1 pass catcher.

Guyton, 26, managed to return last season — after being re-signed — but was not activated off the Chargers’ reserve/PUP list until early November. Despite the Chargers playing most of the season without Mike Williams and losing Keenan Allen late in the campaign, Guyton finished last season with just 10 receptions for 89 yards.

He was a far more relevant option earlier in his Bolts tenure. Guyton totaled 28 receptions for 511 yards in 2020 and 31 receptions for 448 yards in 2021; he scored three touchdowns in each season. Best remembered for being on the receiving end of a Herbert laser that traveled 60-plus yards in the air against the Giants in 2021, Guyton represents a flier at this point. Though, he is now more than 18 months removed from the major knee injury.

The Raiders moved on from Hunter Renfrow this offseason but have not relented on a potential Davante Adams trade. The All-Pro weapon remains Las Vegas’ No. 1 target, and 2023 free agent pickup Jakobi Meyers — a player with close ties to the since-booted Josh McDaniels-fronted regime — is going into Year 2 of a three-year, $33MM deal. The Raiders did not draft a wide receiver this year and did not make a notable signing in free agency. Guyton, who has clear ties to Telesco and ex-Chargers front office lieutenant/interim GM JoJo Wooden, would be a low-cost auxiliary option.

NFL Front Office Updates: Panthers, Cardinals, Buccaneers, Raiders

May 4th, 2024 at 5:58pm CST by Ely Allen

Oftentimes, when there are staff and front office changes on NFL teams, a Black Monday-type of exodus can happen following the NFL Draft. With mere months or even weeks between the time of a new staff’s hiring and the draft, it can be advantageous to utilize the scouting and personnel department already in place. Though, after the draft concludes, those same teams may opt to clear house and in their own preferred employees.

The Panthers are one such team, with Joe Person of The Athletic reporting that both director of pro scouting Rob Hanrahan and assistant director of pro scouting Tyler Ramsey have been let go. Hanrahan had been with the team for seven years, while Ramsey had been there for three.

The two weren’t alone as Neil Stratton of SucceedinFootball.com reported the departure of northeast area scout Michael Coe and senior personnel executive Jeff Morrow, as well. New general manager Dan Morgan had forecasted changes after the draft, which we’re seeing now.

Here are some other changes in NFL personnel departments:

  • Stratton also informs us that the Cardinals have parted ways with director of college scouting Josh Scobey. The former Arizona running back had just finished his second year in the role after 12 seasons as a part of the team’s scouting department.
  • The Buccaneers have also moved on from personnel department employees with Stratton reporting that neither veteran scout Mark Ellenz nor assistant director of pro scouting Alex Smith will return in 2024. Smith had been with the team for seven years and was elevated to his most recent position after four seasons as a pro scout.
  • The Raiders are the next team mentioned by Stratton with director of scout development Keith Kidd reportedly being removed from the team’s website.

Raiders Add 17 UDFAs

May 4th, 2024 at 11:20am CST by Ben Levine

After adding eight rookies via the draft, the Raiders are continuing to add young players to their roster. The team announced that they’ve signed 17 undrafted free agents:

Carter Bradley is one of the most notable names on the list, as the QB tossed 47 touchdowns for South Alabama between 2022 and 2023. The Raiders needed to pay up to add the rookie to their roster. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Bradley will earn a $25K signing bonus plus $100K in guaranteed base salary. The front office also gave significant chunks of cash to two undrafted offensive linemen. Furman guard Jake Johanning got a $25K signing bonus and $75K of his base salary guaranteed (via Wilson) while TCU tackle Andrew Coker got a $20K signing bonus and $75K of his salary guaranteed (via Wilson).

On defense, the Raiders gave Ron Stone a $20K signing bonus and $150K in guaranteed base salary (per Wilson). The Washington State product wrapped up his college career with a 2023 campaign where he compiled five sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Meanwhile, Maryland cornerback Ja’Quan Sheppard got a $25K signing bonus and a whopping $205K of his base salary guaranteed (via Wilson). Sheppard finished his lone season with the Terrapins with 31 tackles and eight passes defended.

OL Notes: Guyton, Beebe, Cowboys, Commanders, LT, Raiders, Packers, Patriots

May 3rd, 2024 at 5:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tyler Smith delivering strong early returns at two positions — left tackle, left guard — gave the Cowboys options while constructing their draft board, and Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton became the team’s pick. The Guyton move points to Smith staying at guard. The Cowboys are set to give the ex-Sooners right tackle every opportunity to win the starting LT job, The Athletic’s Jon Machota notes (subscription required). Teams make the inverse move more often, with the college game’s top O-linemen most frequently coming from the left tackle spot. Guyton views himself as a more natural left tackle, however, and his development there will keep well-paid RT Terence Steele in place.

Trading down from No. 24 to 29, the Cowboys picked up an extra third-rounder (No. 73). Dallas used the latter pick on Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe, and Machota adds he profiles as the team’s Tyler Biadasz center replacement. Linked to Duke center prospect Graham Barton at No. 24, the Cowboys passed with the ex-Blue Devil on the board (Barton went to the Buccaneers at No. 26). Beebe vacillated between left tackle, right tackle and left guard with the Big 12 program. While Machota notes Beebe could be an eventual Zack Martin successor, he is on track to begin his career at center.

Here is the latest from O-lines around the league:

Broncos Met With Drake Maye, Spencer Rattler; Raiders’ QB Need Impacted Team’s Bo Nix Plan

May 1st, 2024 at 1:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

While Sean Payton effectively admitted he participated in a smokescreen effort regarding the Broncos‘ interest in trading up for a quarterback, the team was most closely tied to Bo Nix during the draft run-up. That did not end up costing the Broncos, who selected the Oregon prospect at No. 12. But the team also did its homework on other passers.

We heard before the draft that J.J. McCarthy trekked to Denver and Nix threw for Broncos brass in Eugene, but SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the Broncos did meet with Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler before the draft. Maye proved to be well out of Denver’s price range, as New England turned down two offers — from the Giants and Vikings — that included 2025 first-round picks. Ticketed to be Derek Carr‘s backup in New Orleans, Rattler did not go off the board until Round 5.

[RELATED: Assessing Bo Nix’s Prospect Profile]

Multiple reports pointed to the Broncos being interested in making an aggressive move up the board for a passer; McCarthy, who met with the Broncos on a “30” visit, was mentioned as a target. It turns out Broncos-Nix connections early this offseason doubled as prescient reports. The five-year college starter will likely be given the keys early in his rookie season, with ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano mentioning during a recent TV appearance the recent Pac-12 star is expected to “play right away.”

Broncos GM George Paton scouted Nix at four Oregon games but did not share his views with Payton, per Breer, with an aim toward the Super Bowl-winning HC — and the current Broncos top decision-maker — reaching his own conclusions on the prospect. Payton said post-draft Broncos brass viewed the Vikings as being McCarthy fans and the Raiders eyeing Michael Penix Jr. The Broncos did carry some fear, especially after the Falcons chose Penix at No. 8, the Raiders would leapfrog them for Nix, Breer adds. The QB-needy Raiders’ presence at No. 13 influenced the Broncos to stay put and make a pick many have labeled a reach.

The Raiders were, in fact, interested in Penix — more so than Nix or McCarthy — according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. After a second straight offseason of extensive work on QB draft prospects, the Raiders did not add a high-value pick at the position. As the Raiders regroup around Gardner Minshew, the Broncos do not have a clear hurdle in Nix’s path to seeing action early. Denver has Jarrett Stidham as a placeholder and took a flier on Zach Wilson before passing on the ex-Jet’s fifth-year option. Barring something unexpected, it would surprise if Nix is not Denver’s starter early this season.

Although QBs coach Davis Webb ran Nix’s workout, Breer adds the Paton-Payton tandem — along with ownership — did not reveal to other members of the team’s staff where Nix stood on the team’s board. It is believed the Broncos viewed Nix as this draft’s third-best QB prospect. Most do not agree with that placement, and longtime draft analyst Todd McShay said during an appearance on The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo Podcast (h/t the New York Post) at least 10 NFL evaluators he spoke to did not have a first-round grade on Nix. The Broncos are high on Nix’s accuracy, with their research effort removing QB prospects’ screens and short routes to reveal a player who still ranked as one of Division I-FBS’ most precise passers when those dumpoffs are taken out of the equation.

Since Peyton Manning‘s retirement, the Broncos have used two first-round picks on QBs (Nix, Paxton Lynch) and one second-rounder (Drew Lock) on the position. The team made three trades for starters, obtaining Joe Flacco (2019), Teddy Bridgewater (2021) and Russell Wilson (2022), while signing Case Keenum (two years, $36MM) in 2018. Nothing has worked for the NFL’s only franchise to see a QB retire following a Super Bowl win. That has occurred twice in Denver, and the team has encountered a much tougher journey replacing Manning than John Elway.

Nix now holds the keys to the Broncos’ effort to pick up the pieces post-Russell Wilson, whose $85MM dead money number will cut into Denver’s ability to capitalize on the No. 12 pick’s rookie contract. Although Payton led the effort in pointing Drew Brees to the Hall of Fame and helping develop Tony Romo in Dallas, grooming a first-round pick from scratch will be new territory. With Wilson’s contract quickly becoming an albatross, the Broncos did not have much of a choice but to turn back to the draft.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/29/24

April 29th, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Waived: LS Matt Hembrough

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed: T Roy Mbaeteka

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Waived: S Tyreque Jones

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Waived: DT Noah Elliss, WR Griffin Hebert, CB Tiawan Mullen, OL Lecitus Smith

The Eagles gave reserve/futures contracts to each of these players in January. Of this lot, only Smith — a 2022 Cardinals sixth-round pick — has played in a game. The young blocker started two games with Arizona as a rookie.

Mbaeteka will receive a second crack at developing with an NFL team through the league’s International Pathway Program. A Nigerian who did not play in high school or college, Mbaeteka spent last year on the Bears’ practice squad. Chicago cut the aspiring offensive lineman in March. Mbaeteka will not count against the Browns’ 90-man roster limit.

Raiders To Sign WR Michael Gallup

April 29th, 2024 at 6:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders will give Michael Gallup a second chance. After the Cowboys cut the veteran wide receiver earlier this year, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports the former 1,000-yard performer has a deal in place with the Raiders.

Gallup is heading to Las Vegas on a one-year deal worth up to $3MM. This certainly represents a steep drop from Gallup’s five-year Cowboys agreement, but the former third-round pick is coming off three straight underwhelming seasons. The Cowboys had given Gallup permission to seek a trade, but the team cut him — as a post-June 1 release — before a $4MM salary guarantee was due.

Las Vegas did not draft a wide receiver, and new GM Tom Telesco signed off on cutting Hunter Renfrow last month. Gallup, 28, will join Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers as veteran Raider wide receivers. This profiles as a bounce-back opportunity for Gallup, who has not displayed the form he once showed before a December 2021 ACL tear.

Although Gallup’s ACL tear did not occur until late in the ’21 season, he battled a calf injury earlier that year. Gallup has not surpassed 500 receiving yards since the 2020 season, going 445-424-418 over the past three years. The Cowboys then bailed on his five-year, $57.5MM deal. Dallas had opted for a cheaper Gallup contract alongside CeeDee Lamb, trading ex-Raider Amari Cooper to the Browns. That move created a void for the Cowboys, who spent 2022 searching for more receiving help. The team has 2023 trade pickup Brandin Cooks installed in that role for the time being.

In Gallup’s last full season before the tear, he totaled 59 receptions for 843 yards and five touchdowns. He bettered that work in 2019, teaming with Cooper — before Lamb’s arrival — in an 1,100-1,100 tandem. Gallup produced 1,107 yards on 66 catches, delivering a career-high six touchdown grabs in his second season. The 6-foot-1 target is now running out of time to return to these heights, and the Raiders’ receiving corps does not point to this deal providing the opportunities necessary to get there.

A regular in trade rumors over the past several months, Adams remains with the team. Telesco confirmed the 31-year-old star was not available at the Combine, and a report earlier this month indicated Mark Davis wants to pair the All-Pro with the team’s next long-term QB. With the Raiders left without a chair during a six-QB first round last week, it is unclear if Adams will be around by the time the Raiders do add that passer. But he remains in place with Gardner Minshew. Despite Meyers having close ties to the Josh McDaniels-Dave Ziegler regime, he remains on a three-year, $33MM deal — one that includes a fully guaranteed base salary in 2024.

Gallup has a path to becoming a third option, as the team is a bit light on depth at this position. Though, the Raiders have slot presence Tre Tucker — another acquisition from the brief McDaniels-Ziegler period — on the roster as well. The team hosted ex-Telesco Chargers wideout Jalen Guyton earlier today. Gallup met with the Ravens and Panthers this offseason but will end up working with OC Luke Getsy in Vegas.

2024 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

April 27th, 2024 at 10:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is every team’s haul from the 2024 NFL Draft:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Read more

Load More Posts